The Dew Claw - HELP

[Jo Ellen]

I know we've talked about dew claws on other topics but this isn't a debate so I'm making a new topic.

I don't know what she did but she was bleeding at one of her dew claws when I came home from work. My sister treated her initially because she gets home from work before I do. She said the vet told her to pack it in a water/baking soda paste and wrap it up tight. So she did. She said it was bleeding pretty good and that was almost 7 hours ago. I just changed her bandage because it was coming off and she's still bleeding.

So what now :054 ???

[Swampcollie]

If it's torn bad enough that you haven't got the bleeding stopped by this time, you will need to make a trip to the Vet.

She will probably need stitches or have the Dewclaw surgically removed if the damage is too great.

[Jo Ellen]

Thank you, Swanmpcollie. I was so hoping you'd be around cause I knew you'd know just what to do.

I will call her vet tomorrow.

Wonder how much this is going to cost ???

[Swampcollie]

To have all four of them surgically removed from an adult dog is an expensive undertaking. (about $1000 in these parts)

I'm guessing if they have to do surgery on one, you can plan on something around $350 - $400.

[Goldenheart]

<span style="font-family:georgia; color:green;">Hope your Daisy is ok Jo Ellen, I would be freaking out right now<img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/frown.gif" />

Give us an update tomorrow.</span>

[messano]

<To have all four of them surgically removed from an adult dog is an expensive undertaking. (about $1000 in these parts)>
Hi,
I was interested to read this message. We have owned Golden Retrievers for 20 years and have had possibly more than 130 adult dogs and puppies pass through our hands in this time and we have never had any dog with more than 2 dew claws.
Is it common for North American lines to produce 4 dew claws on a regular basis?
This could be another interesting example of the differences between European and North American lines.

Paul Seamons
www.***********************

[Gracie]

Jo Ellen-hope Daisy is ok...

[Jo Ellen]

She seems to be fine this morning. It's not bleeding. I still have it wrapped tight in guaze. She's not in pain, as far as I can tell. She's her usual chipper self this morning.

Her vet will look at it Monday morning and make a recommendation. The vet used the word "amputation" in connection with removing the dew claw. So I have a question, obviously if they're talking about amputation, they're talking about more than just a nail. What exactly is a dew claw anyway???

[Goldenheart]

<span style="font-family:georgia; color:navy;">My guess would be removing the dew claw Jo Ellen. The dew claw is the toe their that your Daisy hurt.

At least the bleeding has stopped so thats a good sign. </span>

[GoldenGirl]

Best wishes to you and Daisy, JoEllen! Give your sweet girl a big hug and kiss from Kally and I! :)

GoldenGirl :925

http://pic3.picturetrail.com/VOL11/875879/1620305/19076020.jpg

[Collett and Charlie]

I'm anxious to know how she is doing now. Jo Ellen? How is our sweetheart?

[KCGoldens]

The best way to explain why a vet says amputation. Place you hand on the table with your thumb up and sticking out. Your dogs dew claw is like a very tiny under developed thumb with a nail, and he stands on his four fingers so to speak. If the vet needs to remove it they will go in and I believe remove it at the joint. (much like declawing a cat) Its a fast, simple procedure, she will heal fast.

Give her a big hug and I hope she is better soon. Maybe it will be ok and they won't have to do anything, it will heal on its own.

[Jo Ellen]

Yes, I understand now why they refer to dew claw removal as amputation. There is actually a joint in this little thumb-like appendage.

I think she is fine. I took the bandage off yesterday and it's clean, it's not bleeding anymore. But it is very sore. I went to touch it and she jerked her paw away in no uncertain terms.

I've been putting neosporin on it as an antibacterial, to prevent infection. She's been licking it alot but I think that's okay, isn't it? As far as I can tell, it's the nail that's broken, there's no tears in the skin.